Some NHRIs, such as Thailand and India, have a broad remit. For others, their capacity to undertake, complaint handling and investigatory processes differ on the basis of the type of complaint and on who allegedly committed the human rights violation (e.g., whether the entity responsible for the violation is a state or non-state actor). While the New Zealand, Palestinian, Philippines, and Thai NHRIs reported that they received complaints directly relating to the environment, 169 the Australian, Malaysian and Philippines’ NHRIs reported receiving complaints indirectly concerning environmental issues, an example being discrimination complaints involving the use of chemicals that exacerbate the effects of a complainant’s disability. B. Research, reports and projects on the connection between environmental harms and the right to life All NHRIs have, to some degree, undertaken projects relating to human rights and the environment.170 The Australian NHRI has conducted research on environmental harms and the right to life, especially in relation to Indigenous people. Some of these projects have involved the participation of aid organisations, such as Oxfam other government organisations, and the private sector, such as the mining industry. 171 The Indian NHRI has worked with state governments and various government departments on campaigns and action plans to end manual scavenging, and to address the health dimensions of fluorosis. It also conducted research on the dependency of citizens on forests for their livelihood and the impact of this dependence for the environment. The Malaysian NHRI has worked in partnership with the United Nations Development Program on a High Level Policy Dialogue that focuses on the Millennium Development Goals, some of which are related to health and the environment’. 172 The Thai NHRI reports having formed a number of sub-committees that deal with land and forest management, and water and mineral resources. The sub-committees conduct research and monitoring into activities impacting on human rights and the environment, and report to government at both local and policy levels. 173 C. Awareness and education campaigns relating environmental harms affecting the rights to life or health to All NHRIs advocate, and promote observance and protection of human rights through education and publicity. Some NHRIs have directly addressed environmental harms affecting the rights to life or health. For example, the Palestinian NHRI visits places affected by environmental harm and conducts open meetings on the right to life and health. 174 The Thai NHRI is also active in conducting seminars ‘to raise awareness [of] people’s right to environment and to build a stronger network among parties concerned, particularly local communities’. 175 169 Asia Pacific Forum, above n 4, p. 147, 152, 167, 182. Ibid 118, 167, 183. See also: Law on Structure Duties and Mandate of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission 2005 (Afghanistan) arts 21(16), 21(20), 21(21), 21(23). 171 Ibid 99. 172 Ibid 136. 173 Ibid 172–3. 174 Ibid 153-4. 175 Ibid 183. 170 - 46 -